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Wednesday, 10 August 2011

Rioting In London.....

This post is dedicated to all those affected by the riots 
in London, and parts of the UK, 
as well as the police who are doing a valiant job.

I don't pretend to understand the exact causes 
but I do understand the heartbreak and fear that this 
mindless violence has caused for many innocent victims.


But look! 
This is makes me feel so proud to be British. 
This is the Keep Calm and Carry On attitude
alive and well in the 21st Century.


Spontaneously organised through Twitter and Facebook....


....communities united in the streets to clean up after the riots.


Volunteers gave their time freely to help sort through the chaos.


People coming together like this makes me want to cry with happiness. 

Like glimpsing a taste of heaven.
And all that God meant us to be.




Images via The Guardian, Reuters, The Guardian, Mail on Sunday, Lawco@1888

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57 comments:

  1. Tracy Glover10 August 2011 at 12:13

    It is great. It reminds us of the good that there is beyond the awful nihilism. I just hope that behind the scenes, there will be some tackling of the problems that led to this. xxx

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  2. Pamela Gordon10 August 2011 at 12:15

    Oh Sarah, I have been shocked at the behavior of these hooligans rioting in the streets of London and other cities. Such a shame and waste and I have been praying for peace in your country. Then, this morning on the tv news I saw images similar to yours and thought how wonderful that these people would come out and 'take back the streets' and get it cleaned up. I hope they soon get a handle on this terrible situation. Even thought you may not be in any danger I wish you blessings and saftey to you and yours. Pamela

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  3. A room with a view10 August 2011 at 13:03

    This is a London I do not recall but I hope that this mindless violence will come to an end soon.

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  4. Unknown10 August 2011 at 13:03

    This morning's images are a wonderful reminder that all is not doom and gloom out there on our cities' streets.

    I feel an unsparing light really needs to be shed on the causes of this nihilism though because what exactly causes newborns to grow into these 'thugs'? Big questions, I hope our politicians, educationists and clergy are up to the job. Organisations like Kids' Company should be advising for sure. A day of prayer would be something wouldn't it, like before Dunkirk? Anyways, I'm praying for our leaders' - for real insight and action not more party politics and soundbites, and wondering what part, however small, we can all play? Thanks for focusing on the positive, so important not to lose sight of all the good amongst the bad.

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  5. Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms10 August 2011 at 13:07

    Thanks for sharing those cheering pics after all the hideous goings on.

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  6. LindyLouMac10 August 2011 at 13:08

    Thank goodness there are still some decent people around willing to do this.

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  7. Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home10 August 2011 at 13:18

    In the midst of all the horrible scenes unfolding over the past few days, it is a real joy to see the hope that this group of people brings. Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing :)

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  8. Nat at Made in Home10 August 2011 at 13:18

    It was awful yesterday in the City - honestly very scary - and at the same time amazing to see people getting together!

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  9. It's me10 August 2011 at 13:35

    Oh my oh my.....what a crazy people.....on our beautiful world......i hope this will end very soon darling.....thinking of the people in Londen...love love from me...xxx...

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  10. Shelly Wildman10 August 2011 at 13:54

    Oh Sarah, I've thought of you all so often these past few days. And I realize that the same could easily happen here. I love the picture of the crowd of people holding up their brooms! Revolt! Ah, yes! There is hope.

    P.S. I'm back! And so happy to see you!

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  11. chris10 August 2011 at 14:04

    I've been worried about you, my dear, and so many others that could be affected by the riots. What a cheering thought to see others joining together to do what is right. I wish the press here across the pond would highlight so much good being done.

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  12. Low Tide High Style10 August 2011 at 14:24

    One of my dear friends lives just south of London and was fearful that this might spread close to Epsom/Ewell where she lives. It has been terrible for so many and I hope it all ends peacefully and very soon! Your photos of citizens taking their lives back and volunteering is such a wonderful reminder that not everyone is hateful during such trying times!

    Kat

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  13. Unknown10 August 2011 at 14:25

    Yay! Let's focus on the REAL people out there that are just trying to live their lives and maybe help their neighbour. It would be so easy to just look at the dregs.

    Best wishes and prayers to those in the middle of this mess.

    I can't believe these are the streets that I know so well.

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  14. Tricia10 August 2011 at 14:33

    I was thinking about you last night as I was watching scenes of all the rioting, wondering how close you lived to the city. To see all that violence and distruction is so sad. It's wonderful that people are coming together in the midst of it all.

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  15. Sarah10 August 2011 at 14:37

    Wow Sarah it's the first time I have seen pics of the cleaning army - that has literally given me goosebumps and helped restore my faith in humans!!

    S x

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  16. Gwen @ Gwenny Penny10 August 2011 at 15:13

    Thanks for sharing this, Sarah... restores my faith in humanity.

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  17. Rudi Harris10 August 2011 at 15:32

    Yeah, it's great to see the community pulling together. I think your post may have something to do with this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P_jXvsRfq0&feature=share

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  18. Priscilla10 August 2011 at 15:32

    Wonderful pictures of real English people cleaning up the filth of the filth who made it.

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  19. Joanne10 August 2011 at 15:45

    I am so sorry to see what is going on in London. We had something similar on a smaller scale here in Canada. (Vancouver)
    Praying for peace and restoration for you there and proud of all who are working to make things beautiful again.
    Blessings,
    Joanne

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  20. At The Picket Fence10 August 2011 at 15:54

    Wow! So powerful to see that group of people uniting to show that the selfishness won't win in the end! Thank you for sharing this with us today sweet friend! :-)
    Vanessa

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  21. Anonymous10 August 2011 at 15:55

    Senseless! I will never understand how violence resolves things. It only creates more. The after pictures are "beautiful"! A sign of hope and love. Praying for your country, Sarah. <3

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  22. GLENDA CHILDERS10 August 2011 at 16:33

    I love love the pictures of the volunteers with their tools raised in the air and ready to help.

    We have been praying much this week for your country during this difficult time.

    And of course, Christy arrives on Sunday morning . . . so my heart is already there.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  23. Divine Theatre10 August 2011 at 17:25

    It is a crying shame that the criminal opportunists and their violent ilk would destoy and pillage what does not belong to them after a violent criminal is killed in return fire by a police officer. Many of the rioters consider themselves to be patriots as they carry pilfered TV sets into the sunset!
    The real patriots are those show in these photographs! There are good people everywhere, they just don't make the news as often!
    Thank you for bringing these Good samaritans to our attention. I, for one, needed that!

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  24. Anne10 August 2011 at 17:56

    That's wonderful, Sarah -- shows the good people outnumber the bad. Hope it all settles down soon, we've been watching here at home.

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  25. michele10 August 2011 at 18:03

    and this too is the lens through which i view chaos and unGodliness when it comes.

    it's what being a Christ follower means to me.

    it's about hope.

    michele

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  26. Cindy10 August 2011 at 18:19

    I am a first time commenter to your blog (which I enjoy reading). My thoughts are prayers are with your country. Cindy

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  27. Connie in Hartwood10 August 2011 at 18:39

    It is wonderful to see the rioters outnumbered so completely by the volunteers who organized to clean up the carnage. Makes me proud!

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  28. Shannon @ DoveNest2810 August 2011 at 19:02

    you are showing the difference between selfish (the rioters)and selfless (the cleanup crews)and it has been seen down through the ages and across the globe. Each of us need to CHOOSE to be one or the other, and I just wish the media would show more of the selflessness in the world instead of seeming to concentrate on the selfish. Thank you so much for sharing the selfless people and the acts they do. The time I spent in England and Scotland, I only saw the good side, and last night at the Free Clinic, where I volunteer, I met a couple from England who had come to Florida to make sure a friend would come to find he help he needed. That is England to me.

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  29. Anna at the Doll House10 August 2011 at 19:47

    It is wonderful to see that the decent, Samaritan-spirited Londoners are not going to allow a gang of hooligans to destroy the hearts and minds of the city.

    Anna

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  30. christine donee10 August 2011 at 20:37

    Thank you so much for talking about this.. lately I've been wondering if anyone else actually cares about this.

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  31. Anonymous10 August 2011 at 21:23

    very cool - people doing the right thing - touches a tender spot in my heart. xo, Diane

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  32. American in Bath10 August 2011 at 21:31

    And shouts of a loss of community in Britain are proven wrong. So glad to see it proven what I already knew. The English, they mostly be good people.

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  33. GoldenValley5010 August 2011 at 21:49

    Absolutely no doubt about it - in trying times the power of the human spirit will always prevail! We have seen it so often here in our part of the world - when cyclones/floods wipe out entire communities - people rally to support those who have been affected. It's a shame that we can't all show that same level of compassion on a daily basis however it's comforting to know that it has not been lost forever. ;)Sharyne

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  34. Mindy10 August 2011 at 22:57

    How refreshing to see people come together to help!

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  35. CHRIS10 August 2011 at 23:02

    Hooray for the goodness that still lives in ordinary people who face extraordinary conditions. xxx

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  36. Lydia11 August 2011 at 02:18

    God Bless the Brooms!

    Thank you for sharing!

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  37. Anonymous11 August 2011 at 03:35

    I hope you and your family are safe from the violence. I have a dear friend who has been unable to leave her house because of this. She fled Zimbabwe and then South Africa for similar reasons, and now she lives in London and is ironically faced with more fear. It is heartening though to see people rally together to clean up and work together as one for the good of all. God bless x

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  38. bj11 August 2011 at 05:00

    This just shocked the heck out of me. I never thought of London having such troubles.
    I don't know much about your country..I just know I was deeply and terribly in LUV with Tony Blair. What is he doing now?
    I pray things will settle down in your pretty country.
    xo bj

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  39. Anonymous11 August 2011 at 05:17

    That's brilliant. It's so uplifting to see the goodness of the human spirit in action. I've felt so sad for London this week. xx

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  40. Anonymous11 August 2011 at 05:21

    Brilliant to see the Positive in this and so glad that people are taking a moment to make sure the World knows THIS is who we are, love and prayers to everyone affected by this.......lesley

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  41. camp and cottage living11 August 2011 at 07:00

    Sarah
    I'm not even British but my heart swelled when I saw this on TV and I shed a tear.
    I pray that the good in all of us will conquer the evil in others.
    It was wonderful to see these good citzens do try to do just that!
    You have good reason to be PROUD!

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  42. Erin S.11 August 2011 at 07:43

    This is wonderful. I love the quote, "The only thing needed for evil to prevail is for good men (and women) to do nothing." Some people like anarchy and are only looking for a reason to create chaos, but for others who are good people under tremendous stress--I hope that solutions can be reached to help.

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  43. Robynne's Nest11 August 2011 at 10:04

    Sarah, just when I want to crawl under a rock and hide from the worst aspects in our society, I see amazing heartening images of good people joining together in defiance and mateship...thanks for these images...hopefully the bad stuff is over. Robx

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  44. lisaroy11 August 2011 at 10:05

    Seeing this post actually brought tears to my eyes - something good and heartwarming arising from such malicious destruction. Thanks for the uplifting post xo

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  45. Magali @ The Little White House11 August 2011 at 12:24

    My heart goes to all those living in the riot areas. I was living in the cities that were burning every night during the riots in France a few years ago and it's still a nightmarish memory. Up until now, I'm just unable to close the shutters as I like to see that nothing is burning outside before going to sleep (even if I live in the countryside now!). I love how British people reacted... very different from how French people reacted then!

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  46. Anonymous11 August 2011 at 13:04

    what a wonderful post and way of seeing through the tragedy to the silver lining..a community coming together to clean up after the chaos..
    blessings,
    maureen

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  47. michelle11 August 2011 at 13:44

    This is so sad and so senseless and I hope that you and your family are safe. It really does put some trust back into humanity to see all the volunteers out there to help. I hope the violence ends soon and it is a great reminder that out of despair there is light.
    xoxo

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  48. Unknown11 August 2011 at 14:46

    Fabulous post! I hope the positive attitude will continue to end the violence.

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  49. Cindy11 August 2011 at 15:04

    I've been so sorry to hear what was happening in Britain. Those beautiful buildings being burnt down, a shameful waste. It is good to know that there are always more good people than evil!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  50. Luciane at HomeBunch.com11 August 2011 at 18:11

    Sarah,

    You're the lady that always make me laugh around here, but it's nice to see this other side of yours.... You've said everything and touched my heart with this post, especially with your words at the end.

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  51. Sarah12 August 2011 at 02:07

    It is heartbreaking to see the horrible images...my old hometown of Croydon was hit as well. The British people need to be strong as they were after WWII, stiff upper lip and all that. Keep calm and carry on!! xx :-)

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  52. Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com12 August 2011 at 06:09

    So sorry what you're going through. It's hard to believe why people do things that seem so crazy. I do love that you showed how there is more good out there to overcome the bad. I pray this all ends soon and your London will be peaceful once more. Hugs

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  53. Rachel Rose Mercantile12 August 2011 at 06:26

    I've been thinking about you Sarah.Funny whenever I think of London,I think of"Sarah the Modern Country Style Girl" xoxoxox Thank you for sharing the pics. I was just telling Tito, my "friend" Sarah put wonderful images on her blog,images of community and caring...yeah you!

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  54. Chookie12 August 2011 at 13:13

    I'm another who has been saddened by the riots but heartened by the riot cleaner-uppers.

    But think of how people must be living if they think that pinching a mobile phone or TV is going to improve their lives. Those people have no hope beyond this life, possibly beyond today. Tragic.

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  55. Elz @House Pour14 August 2011 at 02:24

    The riots are bothering Rob bad. He feels so helpless since he's an ocean away. His best friend's car was destroyed as he lives in the riot zone in London, he's now living back home in Norwich for a week til it calms down. It's so sad.

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  56. Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs15 August 2011 at 15:25

    I live on the other side of the ocean...yup right here in the good old USA! I'm totally convinced that no matter how awful some people are, there are so many of us living all over this great planet who step up to the bar and come to each other's rescue when we're in need. Sending prayers for your country to find peace....

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  57. College Essays18 August 2011 at 10:36

    It is great.

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